Samsung enhances self-encrypting drive for enterprise work

The Samsung 840 EVO solid state drive is already an impressive device. The company claims that simply plugging it into a computer can boost performance, even in older machines. Much of that boost is attributed to the fact that it’s a solid state drive, which is inherently faster than one with moving parts. However, there are also features like local caching that also help to make the 840 EVOs one of the quickest reading and writing files.

It's also one of the first self-encrypting drives on the market, able to protect its data from most threats using encryption, and it’s compatible with almost all professional security software.

Until now, the 840 EVO was mostly aimed at single installations. But a recent update makes the drives compatible with enterprise environments so that they can be centrally managed. Encryption keys for users can now be provided for files on each drive. Using crypto erase technology, encryption keys for large files can be adjusted in seconds, protecting data from being accessed without authentication. The keys can then be immediately reset for authorized users, cutting operation costs and raising efficiencies.

The newest security update will be installed on all future drives, and it can be added to the older drives, which were launched last August, as a flash update.

All drives also ship with the Samsung Magician 4.3 software, which manages the security features and can be used for improving drive efficiency.

The Samsung 840 EVO now offers three security types: Class 0, TCG Opal and Encrypted Drive (eDrive). While all Samsung’s SSD solutions have Class 0 encryption, enabled with a BIOS password, the new update for the 840 EVO line allows third-party companies to enhance the security management of the drives. The update also adds compatibility with Microsoft eDrive security on Windows 8 and above.

According to Samsung, the new data security upgrade was enabled and deployed through a collaboration with Wave System’s Wave Cloud and EMBASSY Remote Administration Server, which allows for products and systems to be updated securely, even if they exist in many different locations.